Two men making love is not pornography. A man forced to give oral sex to his prison guard is not a homosexual encounter, but about power and degradation. Ignoring the difference because we can't account for it is irresponsible.

I couldn't agree more, mick. One of our artists is a very openly gay man. He and his partner have possibly the most stable, healthy relationships I have ever seen. Yet, because of ignorance and intolerance, his expression of that relationship could well put him under fire as a "pornographer" simply because some people feel that it's right to associate two men being intimate with gang-rape and pedophilia.

My concern here is that we are embarking on a slippery slope. I trust in Renderosity's ability to administer their policies without prejudice, but I fear for what it will do to our community.

What happens when Joe_Poster decides that two shirtless men is obscene, and suggests that protective policies require his protection based on his personal intolerance?

I doubt Renderosity would take the complaint seriously, but the conflict that ensued would undo much of communal feeling that we require to thrive.

I am willing to live with the bad, knowing that it will always be fringe, if it affords me the opportunity to progress the good. I'm one of those, "better no rules than bad rules" people, though.

As a side note, I would like to say that over the past several days the discussions on this subject have been very good. Despite the weight of the issue, and the passions on all side, it has been a pleasure watching people handle themselves with integrity, even if I've disagreed with their points of view.

I recently remarked to a friend that not once on this issue have I seen ranting or opportunism or people spouting off about administrative fascism. Likewise, I haven't seen any locked posts or moved threads.

To me that's an indication that this is becoming a very grown up community, and one which I am very proud to be a part of. :)